Guide to CT Ice Cream, Gelato & Frozen Desserts (2025 Edition)

Restaurant Features Highlight Best of CT Ice Cream Dessert Kid Friendly Summer Guide Homepage

Carly Terzigni July 12, 2025

Nothing beats the summer heat like ice cream! No matter what your favorite flavor is or whether you prefer your frozen treat in a cup or a cone, there are plenty of ice cream shops around Connecticut open for business this season. Ice cream has evolved quite a bit over the years, and you’ll find that many of the businesses listed in this guide offer something for everyone, including dairy-free options, gelato, sorbet, Italian ice, unique flavors, and, of course, the classics like vanilla and chocolate.

To help you easily navigate this guide, we’ve organized the ice cream shops by county. Simply find your local county to see which options are nearby!

The Hopkins Inn: Contemporary Austrian Cuisine in an Idyllic Setting

Restaurant Outdoor Dining Warren Road Trip Openings German Austrian

Frank Cohen June 28, 2020

Do you fancy a pleasant drive through some of Connecticut’s prettiest countryside to visit a classic, 19th-century, New England country inn on whose terrace or porch you can revel in an idyllic lake view and delicious European cuisine? Then the Hopkins Inn overlooking Lake Waramaug in the Litchfield Hills is definitely for you.

The Hopkins Inn has been in operation since 1847. Franz and Beth Schober have owned and operated the inn for over 40 years, while their son, Toby Fossland, who grew up at the inn, has worked alongside them since 1991. The inn is normally open year-round, its restaurant from late March through January 1. The Hopkins Inn is not affiliated, but appears to enjoy neighborly relations, with Hopkins Vineyard located across the road, the two attractions undoubtedly complementing each other.